THERE promises to be some lively political debate at the Stratford Literary Festival.
With the election campaign in full swing, the festival is hosting a series of events which will bring political issues to the fore and provide opportunities to hear from a number of politicians and influential political commentators ahead of polling day.
Audiences will be able to get right to the heart of a range of issues which surround politicians, from the impact of political advertising and the difficult question of the economy to the lure of politics as a career.
There will be a chance to hear former Observer editor Will Hutton, journalists John Crace and Sam Delaney, Tory grandees Lord William Waldegrave and Lord Douglas Hurd in conversation, and Q&As to air burning questions.
In addition, political spin doctor Alastair Campbell will look on the competitive angle of elections as he talks about his new book Winners: what does it take to make people winners?
The Festival’s political strand culminates in a panel discussion about the impact of political satire in the past and present and ask what the future holds for freedom to mock, especially after the Charlie Hebdo tragedy in Paris. The panel includes Times’ Hugo Rifkind, The Thick of It writer, Ian Martin, cartoon expert Dr Tim Benson and cover cartoonist for The Week Howard McWilliam.
The Festival runs from April 25 to May 3.
Visit www.stratlitfest.co.uk for the full Festival programme and tickets details.
